site.btaBulgaria Has 300 Female, 96 Male Centenarians - National Statistical Institute

There are 300 female and 96 male centenarians in Bulgaria, most of them being in Sofia, the latest National Statistical Institute (NSI) data shows.

NSI wished health and longevity to all 1,731,039 Bulgarians aged over 65 on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, October 1.

In 2024, the United Nations celebrates this day under the motto: Ageing with Dignity: The Importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.

The expected average life expectancy for Bulgaria’s population, calculated for the period 2021-2023, is 73.5 years, a jump of 1.6 years compared to the previous period (2020-2022), according to NSI data in a draft 2023 Report on the implementation of the National Strategy for demographic development of the Republic of Bulgaria 2012-2030, published for public consultation.

The average life expectancy for men is 69.9 years, while women’s is 7.4 years higher, at 77.3 years. In 2023, there was a decrease in average life expectancy by 1.1 years for men and by 0.7 years for women, compared to 2013.

People aged between 60 and 69 could save the European Union's labour market in the face of a deepening demographic crisis, a report by trade credit insurance company Allianz Trade shows. With the development of successful deferred retirement policies, their share in the total workforce could increase from 9% in 2023 to 14.2% in 2040. Thus, EU companies have the chance to cover up to 75% of the projected labour shortfall, the report says.

Statistics show that given the increased retirement age in Bulgaria, the employment rate for people over 60 is higher than the EU average. In 2023, more than 60% of people aged between 60 and 64 in this country were still working, which ranks Bulgaria 11th among the 27 Member States. Sweden has the highest labour force participation rate for this age group, at over 73%, compared to an EU average of 53%. Luxembourg has the lowest, 23%.

There is a steady ageing trend in the population, with older generations accounting for two-thirds of the workforce, according to a survey by the Bulgarian Industrial Association. If the pace of ageing of the labour force persists over the next 20 years, the number of workers aged 55 and over will reach 48% (nearly one in two), the survey concluded.

The age stratification in the labour market is becoming more pronounced. Four generations now coexist in the workplace, each with distinct values, work attitudes, and behavior patterns. One of the major challenges for corporate people management policies is finding ways to harness the strengths of each generation and transform their differences into a competitive advantage that adds value to the organization, the report found.

Other research highlights that the oldest generation of workers tends to view work as a central aspect of life. They prioritize job security and healthy working conditions and are motivated by clear rules, strong moral values, and respect. Providing these older workers with opportunities to share their knowledge and experience is also a key motivator.

As the number of older workers in Bulgaria continues to rise, other studies point to a lack of guaranteed access for people aged 65 and over to affordable, high-quality health, social, and integrated care services.

On the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, caretaker Labour and Social Policy Minister Ivaylo Ivanov Tuesday stressed the importance of ensuring adequate retirement incomes and access to quality social services.